Holding Difference
Moving Toward Liberatory Futures Through Conflict
Course Description
The diversity of our communities and movements is a critical strength in our ability to work toward collective liberation. Differences in identity, perspective, experience, and opinion inevitably manifest in disagreement and conflict, and may contribute to harm in the absence of common language, practices, and systems for conflict analysis and conscious response. These skills are similarly necessary for those of us providing care to individuals or within our communities, as we often work with people and groups with histories, identities, and experiences that vary from our own – including in ways that may challenge our own worldviews and realities.
This class will help participants deepen their understanding and analysis of difference and conflict. We will engage with practical tools to support building empathy amid disagreement, understand and map power dynamics, and discuss the choice points available throughout conflict when we choose to respond rather than react. Stemming from the understanding that conflict is inevitable and can be a powerful asset in co-designing more liberated futures, faculty will guide participants to engage with and prepare for conflict in ways that generate more possibilities, greater connection, and fuller expression.
What you’ll learn:
The power of dissent and disagreement when paired with connection and mutual care in a range of contexts
How to practice “polyphony” and “both/and” in your work, holding multiple voices and perspectives at the same time
The principles of “generative conflict,” the conditions that make its practice possible, as well as how to move away from conflict avoidance and unhealthy attachment to conflict
How to practice sitting with discomfort and uncertainty
Faculty
Stas Schmiedt, Co-Founder and Vision Keeper of Spring Up
Stas (they/them) is a nonbinary BlaQ-Italian storyteller, abolitionist organizer, and healer rooted in Ute, Arapahoe, and Cheyenne lands in Denver, CO and Miccosukee, Seminole and Tequesta lands in Miami, FL.
LEANDER ROTH, Co-Founder and Vision Keeper of Spring Up
Leander (he/they) works to prevent and respond to gender based violence as a consent educator, transformative justice practitioner, facilitator, coach, and fiction writer based on Ute, Arapahoe, and Cheyenne lands in Denver, CO.
Stas + Leander are the two co-founders and vision keepers of Spring Up and bluelight academy of the liberatory arts; Spring Up is a collective of care workers, transformative justice practitioners, liberatory educators, and coaches practicing and teaching the liberatory arts at bluelight academy.
“I appreciated the way terms were introduced, and examples were provided to demonstrate how those terms actualize in spaces, especially professional spaces.”
What You Get
13 videos (2+ hours of content) full of history, research, and unique perspectives
Exclusive readings and resources
Discussion with a creative community of professionals and advocates inside the course
A reference and resource list to aid ongoing learning and exploration on the course topics
Audience
This course is for:
Mental health and physical health professionals, including: clinicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, peer specialists, recovery support specialists, housing specialists, nurse practitioners, wellness support workers, coaches, holistic practitioners
Students
Activists
Family members and advocates
Anyone who works or plans to work with people experiencing mental health-related challenges
“I loved how organized everything was, that there were examples to help make the content relatable and it definitely helped me to look at some things differently. The instructors also worked very well together and had good chemistry.”
Take the Class
This self-paced course is hosted on Mighty Networks, home to IDHA's School for Transformative Mental Health. This virtual community space supports sustained learning, engagement with other students, access to supplemental resources, and opportunities to interact with your faculty.
We provide the option of enrolling for at the general ($20) or supporter rate ($40) to ensure the sustainability of IDHA’s work and enable us to create more accessible, cutting-edge training content.
CLICK THE BUTTONS BELOW TO JOIN US ON MIGHTY NETWORKS!
If you already have an account, simply log in to proceed to the course.
If you’re new to IDHA’s Mighty Network, you will be prompted to create an account and then receive access to course content.
FAQ
When does the course start and finish?
This is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course, content, or platform?
We love hearing your feedback on what we can do to improve our efforts to bring transformative mental health to the public! Shoot us an email at contact@idha-nyc.org and let us know your thoughts. If you disagree with any of the perspectives shown in this course - that's great! We encourage differing perspectives, so feel free to leave a comment in the course - so long as your comments remain respectful and you speak from your own point of view.
I am a person struggling with mental health issues/a family member of someone who is struggling. Can I take the course?
Absolutely! Just note that this course is geared towards professionals in the field, and will speak mostly to those working in a formal support role. However, we welcome anyone who wants to join!
Are refunds available?
At this time, all sales are final, we cannot offer refunds after purchase.